Instead of just discussing my draft, which I’ve done in other places. I’m going to discuss many of the players who will make a difference in this draft and explain my stance on them. Usually the players who end up changing to complexion of the draft are the players who are taken extremely high or low.

Many of the owners in this draft made drastic moves to make sure they got the players they wanted.  Here are some of the risers and the fallers in this draft:

Risers

Julio Jones WR4, 1.09

Practicing every other day while recovering from his foot injury, many owners are avoiding Julio Jones. I don’t agree. I see his foot injury last season as a discount on his price. Considering I believe he has the upside to be the WR1, I do not think that this pick is a reach at all. Julio is one of the players that I view as an undervalued early round stud.

Julius Thomas TE3, 2.08

This seems to be the latest shift in ADP. As Rob Gronkowski has crept up draft boards, Julius Thomas has been selected even higher. Nowadays you need to spend at least a 2nd round pick to select one of the top three tight ends. The difference between the top three and rest of the tight ends justifies these selections. Thomas could easily improve on last year’s stats with Eric Decker in a Jets’ uniform.

Michael Floyd WR11, 3.01

This is one of those classic reaches for fantasy’s most hyped player this offseason. Is it a reach? Possibly. Could it pan out? Absolutely. Perhaps no player is more ready to breakout this year than Michael Floyd. After proving himself last season, Floyd is ready to pass Larry Fitzgerald as the Cardinals’ top wideout. In fantasy drafts like this, you need to reach to get your guys.

Justin Hunter WR36, 7.01

Another reach to get his guy by FootballGuys writer Phil Alexander, give him a follow on Twitter for fantasy football advice. Although I call it a reach, I don’t mean it in a negative way. I reached on Josh Gordon last season. There’s certainly a chance that Justin Hunter finishes higher than WR36 and for that reason I don’t think it’s a bad investment. With tons of buzz around him, it certainly feels like a breakout is coming.

Fallers

Cordarrelle Patterson WR25, 5.06

The funny thing about Cordarrelle Patterson is I don’t really like him but I was the one who ended up taking him. I’m with Asher Molk in believing that Patterson is a disappointment waiting to happen. I love the sleeper guys every year but for Patterson, it’s just getting out of control. We can’t say he’s this year’s Josh Gordon because Gordon had 805 receiving yards as a rookie – C-Patt had 469. I don’t think he’s a value where he typically goes but I’ll take every player at some point; in the middle of the 5th round, I reached that point with Patterson. I’m unlikely to have him on any other team but if he falls this far again, I’ll be snagging him.

Wes Welker WR27, 5.10

Wes Welker was on the board when I took Patterson, I certainly considered him but ended up going with the upside as I was filling out my flex spot. Last year in PPR leagues, Wes Welker averaged the 17th most points per game out of wide receivers. He’ll have arguably more chances with Decker gone and his concussion history is factored in at this price. Considering he’s likely to be a top 17 WR when healthy, Welker is a steal at this price.

Rashad Jennings RB29, 6.09

I’m simply not a Rashad Jennings guy. He’s old and quite frankly I think Andre Williams is a better natural ball carrier. Still, whether you’re a Jennings guy or not, this is the best price you’re going to find for him. His receptions, which Andre Williams is extremely unlikely to steal from him, will keep him afloat. Considering Jennings has a 4th round ADP, this is a pure value pick.

Julian Edelman WR37, 7.06

Another guy that I don’t usually take, I simply had to end Edelman’s draft day slide with the 6th pick of the 7th round. I don’t believe Bill Belichick wants Edelman to see another 151 targets but he’ll still be a big part of the Patriots attack. With a WR14 finish in PPR leagues last season, Edelman is a steal as WR37.